After reading Patrick Garrey’s letter “What’s real art?” in the Star (Sept. 12), I was left with some questions of my own.

What do you, Mr. Garrey, believe to be art? You spin a wonderful satire of what you believe to be the mentality of art students as well as the professionals on this campus, but you never address this question. Were you looking to discredit the art community here in DeKalb, or simply to write a fictious story that has no business in any editorial space? You seem to have succeeded on both counts.

Do you know, or have any idea, what creative expression is? Or what meaning is? Or open-mindedness for that matter? It distresses me that someone studying communications would discount a major form of communication. Yes, Patrick, communication. Just as radiio, television, newspaper and even your letter, art is a form of communication.

You might see programs you find distasteful, outragious or even insulting on televison, but I’m sure you don’t discredit those responsible in that esteemed profession. Do you feel all artists should create works that don’t force you to think about their content and meaning? Works that are tastful and obvious? Is that the definition of art in your context—complaisant and middle-of-the-road? If it is, I hope you have few followers.

What’s real art?

Real art should make us question what is around us. It’s made to present us with viewpoints other than our own, and challenge that which is accepted in society. It is a hand that holds ideals up and into the light so we can be sure they are solid. (Much in the same way an editorial in the media functions.)

So think, Mr. Garrey, as you sit down to watch Rollergames and stare mindlessly at a box in your livingroom, think about its content and meaning. As for me, I’d rather look at a toolbox.

John Arena

Senior

Computer graphics

Editor’s note. John Arena is production manager at The Northern Star.